Gunfire was directed at the soldiers –Govt.

6 August 2013 11:47 am Views - 6400

The government said in Parliament today that a section of the protesting crowd in Weliweriya hurled petrol bombs at soldiers, prompting them to take action for self-defense and the safety of public property.

In response to a statement made by opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on the August 1 shooting incident in Weliweriya, Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva said though some protestors left the place upon request by the security authorities  on that day , there were others pelting stones  and hurling petrol bombs at the soldiers on duty.

“There are reports that gunfire was directed at the soldiers by someone from the protesting crowd.  There is a broad investigation now underway. They were also engaged in the acts of damaging public property,” the Leader of the House said.

Besides, he refuted allegations by Mr. Wickremesinghe that those who entered the church premises in the area for safety were targeted by the military.

The Leader of the House said it would be investigated whether another party provoked this crowd to be violent. (KB & YP)